Expression of Interest Opens: January 27, 2026
Application Deadline: Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Fees: FREE – zero cost to apply
Honorarium: Selected participants will receive $100.00 per meeting

The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is seeking Brampton residents with diverse lived experiences and perspectives to join our inaugural BAO Community Advisory Committee. If you are committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the arts and culture as well as society in general, value the power of community voices in shaping and driving organizations and believe that communities thrive when we foster a safe, respectful environment that ensures fair treatment and full participation for all, particularly historically marginalized groups, then this is your opportunity to join BAO and make a difference in Brampton.

 

About Us

The Brampton Arts Organization (BAO) is a registered non-profit that champions Brampton’s diverse arts, culture and creative industries and advocates for the #BramptonArtist. We work to build a thriving, confident, valued, and empowered creative scene by offering a range of programs, services and resources to these sectors. In this, BAO is a key partner in fulfilling the City of Brampton’s strategic vision and Culture Master Plan.

Throughout the year, we offer free in-person and virtual programming for all creative disciplines. These programs focus on helping artists build and professionalize their practices. We also create opportunities for artists to show their work through regular calls. In addition to these programs for individual creatives, we offer programs for Brampton-based creative businesses and arts and culture organizations.

 

Purpose of the Community Advisory Committee

As BAO advances our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility principles, we are establishing a Community Advisory Committee to:

• Offer insight and feedback drawn from your lived experience to help BAO shape our programming, policies, partnerships and outreach.
• Consider and provide feedback on whether BAO’s work aligns with the voices and needs of all communities in Brampton, including those historically under-represented in arts and culture.
• Help strengthen relationships, transparency and accountability between BAO and the diverse communities we serve.

 

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from diverse Brampton community members, including but not limited to:

• Artists, creatives, and arts and culture workers
• Community leaders and grassroots organizers
• Youth and elders with diverse lived experiences
• Indigenous, Black, racialized, newcomer, 2SLGBTQIA+ and disabled community members
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) professionals
• People with experience in community engagement, arts programming and/or cultural advocacy

Connection to Brampton’s arts, culture and creative industries is an asset. No formal qualifications are necessary; rather, we value lived experience, community insight and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

 

Commitment and Responsibilities

As a member of the advisory committee, you will be expected to:

• Attend an estimated 4-6 committee meetings per year (1.5 to 2 hours each and a mix of virtual and in-person meetings)
• Provide feedback on new calls for artists, projects and programs
• Participate in the co-creation of new policy, programs and projects
• Help BAO connect with under-represented communities in Brampton

 

Compensation and Support

BAO is committed to equitable participation. Financial and other barriers should not prevent potential committee members from applying and participating. We will provide compensation, access-related supports (transportation, childcare, attendant care, tech/data), and flexible submission and participation options. Details will be shared during onboarding.

 

Additional Information and Accessibility Support

If you have any questions about this expression of interest or need additional resources, assistance or time to complete this application, please reach out at least one week prior to the application deadline to Katy Belshaw, Head of Programming, Brampton Arts Organization, katy@bramptonartsorg.ca.

 

How to Apply

Interested community members are asked to apply before Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

You can apply through an online form, PDF download, audio/video submission or phone assistance by contacting Katy Belshaw, Head of Programming at katy@bramptonartsorg.ca.

Apply Here

 

Notification

Applicants will be notified of their application status within two calendar months of submission. Communication about the status of your application will be through email.